Growing crowds at Lausanne soup kitchen

Some might imagine there is little need for soup kitchens to feed the poor in Lausanne. Philippe Reichen, writing for the Tages Anzeiger, describes life at “La Soupe Populaire”, a soup kitchen in Lausanne which feeds around 200 people every day.

“La Soupe Populaire” has been enormously popular for years. In 2008, when the first figures were compiled, it provided 47,000 meals. Last year it cooked 68,000 and this record is likely to be exceeded in 2015. In the first half of 2015 more than 35 000 meals were served.

Much of the food comes from supermarkets, such as Manor and other food retailers who have food that can no longer be sold because it is beyond its sell by date.

Patrons include single parents, large families, the working poor, people with debt problems, mental health problems, addictions and pensioners. Some come and take food home to cook while others, particularly older people, come to escape loneliness.